Rail fares hike will harm passenger numbers, says Plaid Cymru

Transport for Wales passengers “must get value for money” as rail fares increase despite poor record on customer satisfaction and cancellations.

The Welsh Government has today announced that rail fares will increase to meet rising costs despite announcing a further £236million for Transport for Wales only recently.

Plaid Cymru has warned that increasing rail fares could harm passenger numbers at a time where more should be encouraged to opt for public transport.

The rise was justified as being able to make investments in rail services across south Wales, while passengers in north Wales are missing out again.

Plaid Cymru have again called for Wales to be given the £3.9bn owed from HS2 consequentials in a bid to invest in rail infrastructure and other public transport across Wales and “ensure parity for communities.”

Both Labour and the Conservatives must “commit to right this wrong” on the ongoing HS2 scanda, Plaid Cymru’s Delyth Jewell has said.

Responding to the announcement from Welsh Government, Plaid Cymru spokesperson for Transport, Delyth Jewell MS said:

“Rail passengers will face another blow with near-inflation rail fare hikes of 4.9% announced today. At a time when we should be encouraging more people to use public transport, I’m concerned that this hike could really harm passenger numbers.

“What’s even more confusing is that passengers are expected to pay up despite the Labour Government only recently pledging an extra £236million into Transport for Wales – a number, we were told, that was needed to plug gaps after inaccurate passenger projections. From poor records on customer satisfaction, punctuality, and cancellations – the public must get value for money.

“While Labour may justify this as an investment in rail services in the south, those in the north are missing out yet again.

“The truth of the matter is that we desperately need the £3.9bn denied to Wales from England’s HS2 to invest in public transport infrastructure across Wales and ensure parity between communities. Both Labour and the Conservatives must commit to right this wrong and give Wales what its owed.”